UTMB Live Update: Who’s Leading the Ultra Challenge?
The UTMB World Series Finals are unfolding in Chamonix — get the latest live update on who’s leading the biggest ultra race, weather and course changes, and pro tips for runners. Includes verified results, race schedules, and insider training and gear advice for tackling UTMB’s ultimate challenge.
UTMB week in Chamonix is the ultimate test of ultra endurance, and this year the race delivered drama, storms, and stunning performances. If you’re following the UTMB World Series Finals, this live update gives you a concise, race-director-informed snapshot: who’s winning the flagship UTMB loop, what course and weather issues affected the field, which other festival races matter (CCC, OCC, TDS), and actionable tips you can use in your own ultra training and race planning. Read on for verified results, official race details, and the insider context that runners want — all pulled from the official UTMB site and top race coverage.
Live Race Snapshot: Winners, Times, and Where Things Stand
The 2025 UTMB flagship loop concluded with top-level performances that reshaped the race narrative. In the men’s race Tom Evans took the win in a blistering 19:18:58 — a masterclass in pacing and climbing over 174 km and roughly 9,900 m of ascent (Source: iRunFar race report). Ben Dhiman and Josh Wade rounded out the men’s podium in second and third respectively, all of which is captured in the full results and race write-up (Source: iRunFar race report).
Weather, Course Changes, and Safety Alerts
UTMB 2025 did not spare runners the elements. Organizers activated the cold-weather kit advisory for multiple races during the week and published weather updates for competitors — a reminder that you must plan for rain, wind and even snow on Mont Blanc’s high passes (Source: Official UTMB race page). During the race the leaders faced a severe night storm that forced a technical reroute in the Italian section: the Pyramides Calcaires ascent/descent was removed for safety, shortening the leader’s course by roughly two kilometers and a couple hundred meters of elevation (Source: iRunFar coverage). That change illustrates two important lessons for any ultra runner: prepare for cold/wet gear at high altitude, and practice quick on-trail kit transitions (lights, layers, waterproofs).
Who Conquered the Biggest Challenges — Race Recap for Top Contenders
The toughest parts of the UTMB are not just the vertical meters — they’re the nights, the descents, and the micro-decisions about pacing and fueling. This year, Tom Evans’ win showcased smart energy management: he stayed with the lead group, kept fueling through the night and made his decisive move on the Grand Col Ferret climb (Source: iRunFar race report). On the women’s side Ruth Croft produced a tactical second-half charge to win in 22:56:23, overtaking early leader Courtney Dauwalter and building a race-winning margin by Champex-Lac and the final descents (Source: iRunFar race report). Those results underline a common thread for ultra success: strong uphill hiking, efficient descents, and conservative night-race risk management.
Festival Races & What to Watch: CCC, OCC, TDS and More
UTMB week is a multi-day festival of racing — the UTMB loop is the flagship, but CCC (101 km), OCC (~57 km), TDS (~148 km), PTL teams, MCC and YCC all create varied challenges and qualifying routes. If you’re aiming for future UTMB entries, those races are the practical way to earn Running Stones and a UTMB Index (Source: official UTMB event pages). The festival schedule also means Chamonix is a great scouting trip: you can watch elites, meet volunteers, and learn aid-station routines you’ll emulate in your own races.
Insider Tips: Training, Gear, and Race Logistics for Your Next Ultra
If you’re planning to run UTMB or a similar big mountain ultra, train specificity is king: long back-to-back days with elevation, and night runs with your race lighting system, will make the biggest difference. Consider these practical takeaways from this year’s race week and coverage: 1) Practice cold-wet sessions in layers and carry a tested waterproof shell — UTMB organizers activated cold-weather requirements this week (Source: UTMB race page). 2) Master quick refueling at aid stations — winners executed short, focused stops. 3) Use poles on long climbs in training so they feel natural in race conditions. 4) Logistics: register your drop bags and study official GPX and alternate-route notices ahead of time (Source: official UTMB site).
Key Takeaways, Next Steps, and Sources
Bottom line: UTMB 2025 was a tough, weather-affected edition that rewarded tactical patience and mountain-specific preparation. Confirmed winners and official times come from race coverage and results published immediately after the event (Source: iRunFar) and the UTMB festival and race pages provide the verified schedules, start times, and course notices you need for planning (Source: montblanc.utmb.world). For a comprehensive race primer, timeline, course records and history, see the Runner’s World guide to UTMB week (Source: Runner’s World UTMB guide).
Sources:
https://www.irunfar.com/2025-utmb-results
https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/utmb
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/events/a44898789/utmb/